About the project

Geographical scope

The geographical scope of this project is focused on Serbia and the second-largest city in Serbia (Novi Sad). Firstly, we will analyse climate and mortality data from 47 stations in Serbia for the period 2000-2020. Secondly, we will analyse climate and mortality/hospitalization data for Novi Sad in the period 2015-2017. In this regard, we will reveal the impacts of climate conditions (focus is on temperature and biometeorological indices) on mortality and/or hospitality across the country.

Project objectives

The following analyses will be performed:

1) Collection and statistical analysis of daily and monthly air temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (v) and global radiation (G) data from 47 official meteorological stations in Serbia for the period 2000-2020. These climate elements are selected for the analysis as they are the most important parameters for the analysis of human biometeorology, outdoor thermal comfort and heat stress conditions.

2) Based on the above climate analysis, we will calculate the most widely used biometeorological indices HUMIDEX, Physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) for 47 meteorological stations in Serbia for the period 2000-2020.

3) Temperature/humidity/biometeorological indices/duration impacts on mortality in Serbia in the period 2000-2020. The first analysis will be performed on daily and monthly level. The second analysis will be based on the analysis of extreme temperature impacts on mortality in Serbia during heatwave periods in the period 2000-2020. In addition to extreme temperatures, the association between HUMIDEX, PET and UTCI with mortality during heatwaves will be investigated.

4) Detailed analysis of urban climate, mortality and hospitalization in the City of Novi Sad, Serbia. We will analyze hourly data of Ta, RH, v and G from 17 stations making the urban meteorological network of the city - NSUNET (more info in Data Availability section). Biometeorological indices HUMIDEX, PET and UTCI will be calculated in order to more comprehensively access the heat load on mortality and hospitalization of local population in diverse urban environments of Novi Sad (based on the Local Climate Zones concept). We have detailed climate, mortality and hospitalization data for the period 2015-2017. These 3-years datasets provide information about date of admission and discharge, then general patient data such as date of birth and gender, and finally primary causes of admission according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). In this project, the thermal condition-related with hospital admission analysis will be performed using the ICD-10`s total cardiovascular (I00-I99) and respiratory (J00-J99) diseases. Finally, the total number of hospital admission in Novi Sad that are registered for both groups of diseases during the 3-years period. To examine the effects of thermal conditions on different population subgroups, such as classification on gender (male/female) and age (<65 and ≥65), the daily number of cardiovacular and respiratory hospital admission were stratified according to defined subgroups.

5) Increasing knowledge on heatwaves and their impact on people in Serbia through organized dissemination activities. These activities will include:

a) Workshop for stakeholders and citizens named "Beat the heat - Serbia". It will be a hybrid event in Serbian and English language.

b) Project webpage will be developed and will contain information about project goal and activities, project team, documentation and

promotional material, sponsors, etc.;

c) Youtube channel with project creative short videos in Serbian and English;

d) Twitter and Linkedin profiles with the info about project activities;

e) Leaflet with the information about heat and health implications in Serbia.